HVAC market in the United States: figures and perspectives

A market study published in November 2011 by Freedonia, provides figures on the current market and perspectives until 2015.
A market study published in November 2011 by Freedonia, provides figures on the current market and perspectives until 2015.

Overall demand for HVAC equipment is projected to increase 5.1% annually to over USD 15 billion in 2015, spurred by growth in construction spending from a low 2010 base, but also by rising interest in new and more energy-efficient HVAC systems, partly due to regulatory changes. Public and private incentives also tend to encourage owners to upgrade to Energy Star grade models.

HVAC equipment demand in the residential market will nearly double by 2015, albeit from a sharply reduced 2010 base. It typically accounts for a third of the total, but fell to under a quarter in 2010, due to less construction and retrofitting.

Unitary air-conditioners were the largest segment (almost 75%) of the cooling-system market in 2010. In addition, demand for unitary systems is predicted to increase at an above-average pace, also spurred by the continuing development of higher efficiency models and from the increase in the percentage of homes equipped with central air-conditioning.

Heat pumps accounted for the largest share of heating equipment in terms of value in 2010. This share is increasing and expected to be one of the strongest of any heating equipment.

HVAC exports are forecast to rise 5.0% annually until 2015, almost as fast as overall demand. US producers tend to compete more effectively in more technologically advanced segments of the market, while more basic commoditized products tend to be imported.

The four leading suppliers of HVAC equipment to the US market (United Technologies, via Carrier; Ingersoll-Rand, via Trane; Goodman Global and Lennox International) accounted for over half the sales in 2010. Four other companies, (Johnson Controls, via York International; Japan’s Paloma, via Rheem Manufacturing; Nortek and Japan’s Daikin, via McQuay International) each had sold USD 550 million-worth of HVAC equipment in 2010.

The whole study is available here: http://www.freedoniagroup.com/DocumentDetails.aspx?DocumentId=560164